Wow. EastEnders has just shown the return of one of the soap’s most notorious villains, and he’s the mysterious person behind Max Branning’s epic revenge scheme.
Read more: Emmerdale viewers turned off by shock bedroom scenes
Yep, everyone who predicted James Willmott-Brown was on his way back to Walford – and planning on taking it down – was absolutely spot on. Well done, you.
Tonight we saw mean Max collect his former cell mate, Luke, from prison and take him home. There, his sister Fi, half-brother Josh and Uncle Hugo – AKA The Chairman – were all waiting for him.
And, for the first time, Maxy met his boss – and his lover’s dad – James.
Okay, so who is JWB and why is he such a baddie? Well, back in the day when Kathy was married to Ian’s dad, Pete, there was a posh wine bar in the Square – yes, kinda like the little-seen Albert.
This one was called The Dagmar and it was run by JWB, and Kathy worked for him.
James was madly in love with Kathy, in fact, we’d go as far as saying he was obsessed with her. One night, James asked Kathy to stay behind for a drink and he raped her.
Kathy got justice when JWB was sentenced to three years in prison for his attack. He returned to the Square in 1992, when he was released, but was soon ousted by the residents who didn’t want him there.
Back to present-day Walford. We know Max has been working with Weyland & Co. in order to take control of Albert Square and get revenge on all who wronged him.
But we didn’t know who he was working for. Max himself has no clue about Willmott-Brown’s past in Walford and only knows that – like Max – he claims to be a wronged man.
James and his family will all work to take over the Square. And, of course, there is one person firmly on his agenda – Kathy Beale, the woman who ruined his life.
EastEnders has been secretly plotting this comeback for months, the dark horses, and it will come to a head over the next few months.
William Boyde, who played JWB in 80s, has reprised the role that will send shockwaves throughout Walford.
He said: “I’m delighted to immerse myself once more in the fascinating world of soap land.”
EastEnders bosses have promised a huge story for Kathy, who hasn’t really done much since her shock comeback from the dead two years ago.
Read more: Shock arrest for one Weatherfield resident
We think this will more than make up for it.
Viewers flocked to Twitter to share their delight about the old boy returning to Walford.
Well played, EastEnders, well played.